ELISA VAUX AND GRAHAM HOY FROM CWMBRAN CONVICTED OVER SKELETAL HUSKIES IN COED EVA

In a distressing case that has drawn significant attention from animal welfare authorities, Elisa Vaux, also known as Morgan-Vaux Lis, and her partner Graham Hoy, both residents of Neerings, Coed Eva in Cwmbran, faced justice for their neglect of four husky dogs. The incident, which came to light in September 2016, revealed the severe suffering endured by these animals due to the neglect of their owners.

Elisa Vaux, born on January 25, 1991, and Graham Hoy, born on July 26, 1981, were found guilty of two serious offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The charges stemmed from their failure to provide adequate care for the four huskies—named Cloud, Diesel, Delta, and Asher—whose emaciated conditions were shocking to those who encountered them. The couple admitted to causing unnecessary suffering by neglecting to address the dogs’ significant weight loss and poor physical condition, as well as failing to supply them with a proper diet.

RSPCA inspector Sophie Daniels was the first to discover the dogs at the couple’s property in Coed Eva. Her inspection revealed the heartbreaking sight of four huskies in a state of extreme malnutrition, with their skeletal frames clearly visible. The inspector described the dogs as the thinnest she had ever seen, emphasizing the severity of their condition and the possible suffering they had endured.

Following the discovery, three of the four huskies were relinquished into the care of the RSPCA. Under their new guardianship, the dogs’ health and physical condition improved dramatically, thanks to proper nutrition and attentive care. The fourth husky, however, remains under the ownership of Vaux and Hoy, who have been ordered to surrender the animal. Additionally, a fifth dog previously owned by the couple will also be confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation.

Inspector Daniels expressed her concern over the case, stating, “These were the thinnest husky dogs I’d ever seen. It’s hard to imagine what these dogs had been through to reach this condition, particularly for dogs of this breed. Fortunately, the condition of those dogs signed over to the RSPCA improved dramatically, solely through the provision of good food and proper care. This case clearly highlights the consequences when people fail to meet their legal responsibilities to their pets — but, thankfully, we were able to identify the dogs when we did.”

As a result of their actions, Vaux and Hoy received a 12-month community order, which includes 100 hours of unpaid work. They were also ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £445 each. Furthermore, they are banned from owning dogs for a period of two years, a restriction that expired in January 2019. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the legal obligations that come with caring for animals in the Cwmbran and Coed Eva areas.